What is CABENUVA?
CABENUVA is a medication used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in certain adult patients. It is a combination of two drugs - cabotegravir and rilpivirine - and is given as an injection into the muscle of the buttocks once every four weeks.
CABENUVA is an important advancement in the treatment of HIV as it reduces the pill burden for patients, who previously had to take oral medications every day to control the virus. It also improves adherence as patients do not have to remember to take pills every day, which can be challenging for some individuals.
CABENUVA was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2021. It is indicated for adults who are virologically suppressed (have undetectable HIV-1 viral load) on a stable antiretroviral regimen without prior treatment failure and with no known or suspected resistance to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
It is recommended that patients receive oral cabotegravir and oral rilpivirine for at least one month before switching to CABENUVA to ensure tolerability to the medications. Additionally, patients should not receive CABENUVA if there is a known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of its components.
Overall, CABENUVA represents an important development in HIV treatment and offers a convenient and effective option for individuals living with HIV.
Frequently Asked Questions about cabenuva
CABENUVA is a complete prescription regimen used to treat HIV-1 infection in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 lbs (35 kg), to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.
Cabenuva has an average rating of 8.6 out of 10 from a total of 9 reviews for the treatment of HIV Infection. 78% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.
If you are allergic to any of the medicines in Cabenuva (cabotegravir or rilpivirine) or any other medicines. If you have ever had liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). If you have ever had mental health problems. If you have any other medical conditions.
CABENUVA contains cabotegravir and rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspensions. The recommended initial injection doses of CABENUVA in adults are a single 600-mg (3-mL) gluteal intramuscular injection of cabotegravir and a single 900-mg (3-mL) gluteal intramuscular injection of rilpivirine.
Cabenuva (cabotegravir prolonged-release suspension for injection and rilpivirine prolonged-release suspension for injection) has been listed on the PBS as a long-acting treatment for Australians living with HIV-1.
The cost for Cabenuva intramuscular suspension, extended release (200 mg-300 mg/mL) is around $4,523 for a supply of 4 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit.
The cost for Cabenuva intramuscular suspension, extended release (200 mg-300 mg/mL) is around $4,523 for a supply of 4 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit.
Results from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that after 48 weeks (almost a year), 92.5% of participants who switched to Cabenuva kept their viral load undetectable (fewer than 50 copies/mL), compared to 95.5% of people who continued their oral regimen.
Cabenuva Does Not Cause Weight Gain
While some modern integrase inhibitors have been linked to weight gain in several studies, this does not appear to be the case for cabotegravir, a component (with rilpivirine) of the long-acting injectable regimen Cabenuva.
About Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine)
The complete regimen combines the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) cabotegravir, developed by ViiV Healthcare, with rilpivirine, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) developed by Janssen.
Cabenuva is the first and only complete long-acting HIV treatment regimen and was first approved by the US FDA in January 2021 as a once-monthly treatment for HIV-1 in virologically suppressed adults.
ViiV Healthcare
About Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine)
The complete regimen combines the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) cabotegravir, developed by ViiV Healthcare, with rilpivirine, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) developed by Janssen.
In January 2021, the FDA approved CABENUVA to be administered every month to adults living with HIV-1. In February 2022, the FDA approved an expanded label for CABENUVA to be administered every two months to adults living with HIV-1.
Apretude and Cabenuva are both newer medications, and neither medications have a generic version available. This means that they can be expensive. Their list prices are over $3,000 a dose. There may also be an additional fee for your healthcare provider to administer the medication to you.
Yes, Cabenuva (cabotegravir and rilpivirine) is a long-acting injection used to treat (but not prevent) HIV-1 infection. Cabotegravir is an antiviral integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) and rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).
Results from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that after 48 weeks (almost a year), 92.5% of participants who switched to Cabenuva kept their viral load undetectable (fewer than 50 copies/mL), compared to 95.5% of people who continued their oral regimen.
